Kath Irvine

I Grow Food Gardeners

About Me

I'm a permaculture designer and I've been designing & managing edible gardens since the late 1990's. Passionate about growing food & good garden design, I run workshops from my Edible Backyard to show you how it is done. Get a glimpse of the good life at an event, workshop or get me around for a consult at your place.

Products & Services

Testimonials

" Pruning fruit trees, like hair cutting, always looks deceptively easy. What made Kath's workshop shine for me was that she not only clearly and methodically described the processes, but helped us to think like a tree, to understand how a tree responds to the actions we take. The setting, the delicious morning tea and Kath's energetic and responsive style plus a comprehensive set of notes to take away, all made for a highly useful and enjoyable learning experience." How To Prune Fruit Trees Workshop

Joy Anderton

Otaki

"Kath is so practical and "down to earth". After some pre-visit planning she was able to focus on our long list of questions and responded with positive, helpful advice. She wasn't fazed by our largish block with many gardening challenges and together we worked out a manageable plan. Kath has a wealth of knowledge to tap into and no matter how experienced a gardener is, one can always learn better or easier ways to do things. Her regular E-newsletter is also something I always enjoy."Consult

John & Diane Baldwin

Paraparaumu

“What an eye opener – my soil! I’ve just been opening bags and tossing them on … fingers crossed they work. No more random fertilising for me. I can’t wait to get my broadfork and begin growing my soil. Thanks so much Kath!”Abundant Vegie Patch Workshop

Kelly Rogers

Carterton

“So much to learn from Kath! We’ve been gardening for years, but have learned a whole new view on growing food. And it starts in the world beneath our feet. On the drive home we were buzzing!, planning all the changes we were going to make. Starting with the layout, which we see now is very high maintenance. We’re taking up Kath’s advice to grow in containers and go temporary while we get to know our land and get clear on what we want. Then we’ll be re organising our food garden – Kath style. I highly recommend this workshop.”The Abundant Vegie Patch Workshop

Sharon + Glen

Wellington

I was more than happy with your service Kathy. The money spent was well worth it! From my first contact with you to the site visit you were both professional and friendly. What I found really great was receiving (before your visit) the steps on "Making the most of your Consult". This meant I was able to be prepared for your arrival and every minute was utilised. As we walked around the property I felt extremely confident as you shared your knowledge with passion when advising on which plants were best and their placement. You made sure we covered everything on my list and left me with a good sketch of the planting and the names of suggested plants. At the end of our session you left me feeling well enthused and excited about growing my garden. I would highly recommend you to anyone wanting help and advice in planning their edible garden. Consult

Lois Kunac

Paraparaumu

Bryan

Manawatu

“This garden is the best edible backyard I have seen – proof that permaculture principals work! A beautiful, productive, healthy garden. I highly recommend Kath’s garden tours”.Garden Tour

Bernadine Bloemgarten

Organiser edible garden tours, Transition Towns, Otaki

…we were real beginner gardeners! Kath taught us how to start from scratch, and we have transformed our grassy plot into a fertile, abundant garden in a matter of months.Kath is knowledgable and enthusiastic; her teaching style is inclusive and reassuring. After each workshop we head home with a burning enthusiasm to try something new that we saw that day…” Beginner Gardener Workshop

Annie and Jonty Thorne

Tawa

Kath is the real deal when it comes to setting up and running a home food garden. I went to this workshop to get help designing my vegie patch, but got so much more than that. I cant wait to put it all into action! We were throwing one question after another at Kath, and she answered them all. I had such an inspiring day. Even though it was pretty intense, we had plenty of laughs – Kath makes it fun. I highly recommend the Abundant Vegie Patch workshop to anyone who wants to grow their own food.” The Abundant Vegie Patch Workshop

Jo

Auckland

Kath Irvine

I'm a permaculture designer and I've been designing & managing edible gardens since the late 1990's. Passionate about growing food & good garden design, I run workshops from my Edible Backyard to show you how it is done. Get a glimpse of the good life at an event, workshop or get me around for a consult at your place.

" Pruning fruit trees, like hair cutting, always looks deceptively easy. What made Kath's workshop shine for me was that she not only clearly and methodically described the processes, but helped us to think like a tree, to understand how a tree responds to the actions we take. The setting, the delicious morning tea and Kath's energetic and responsive style plus a comprehensive set of notes to take away, all made for a highly useful and enjoyable learning experience." How To Prune Fruit Trees Workshop

Joy Anderton

Otaki

"Kath is so practical and "down to earth". After some pre-visit planning she was able to focus on our long list of questions and responded with positive, helpful advice. She wasn't fazed by our largish block with many gardening challenges and together we worked out a manageable plan. Kath has a wealth of knowledge to tap into and no matter how experienced a gardener is, one can always learn better or easier ways to do things. Her regular E-newsletter is also something I always enjoy."Consult

John & Diane Baldwin

Paraparaumu

“What an eye opener – my soil! I’ve just been opening bags and tossing them on … fingers crossed they work. No more random fertilising for me. I can’t wait to get my broadfork and begin growing my soil. Thanks so much Kath!”Abundant Vegie Patch Workshop

Kelly Rogers

Carterton

“So much to learn from Kath! We’ve been gardening for years, but have learned a whole new view on growing food. And it starts in the world beneath our feet. On the drive home we were buzzing!, planning all the changes we were going to make. Starting with the layout, which we see now is very high maintenance. We’re taking up Kath’s advice to grow in containers and go temporary while we get to know our land and get clear on what we want. Then we’ll be re organising our food garden – Kath style. I highly recommend this workshop.”The Abundant Vegie Patch Workshop

Sharon + Glen

Wellington

I was more than happy with your service Kathy. The money spent was well worth it! From my first contact with you to the site visit you were both professional and friendly. What I found really great was receiving (before your visit) the steps on "Making the most of your Consult". This meant I was able to be prepared for your arrival and every minute was utilised. As we walked around the property I felt extremely confident as you shared your knowledge with passion when advising on which plants were best and their placement. You made sure we covered everything on my list and left me with a good sketch of the planting and the names of suggested plants. At the end of our session you left me feeling well enthused and excited about growing my garden. I would highly recommend you to anyone wanting help and advice in planning their edible garden. Consult

Lois Kunac

Paraparaumu

Bryan

Manawatu

“This garden is the best edible backyard I have seen – proof that permaculture principals work! A beautiful, productive, healthy garden. I highly recommend Kath’s garden tours”.Garden Tour

Bernadine Bloemgarten

Organiser edible garden tours, Transition Towns, Otaki

…we were real beginner gardeners! Kath taught us how to start from scratch, and we have transformed our grassy plot into a fertile, abundant garden in a matter of months.Kath is knowledgable and enthusiastic; her teaching style is inclusive and reassuring. After each workshop we head home with a burning enthusiasm to try something new that we saw that day…” Beginner Gardener Workshop

Annie and Jonty Thorne

Tawa

Kath is the real deal when it comes to setting up and running a home food garden. I went to this workshop to get help designing my vegie patch, but got so much more than that. I cant wait to put it all into action! We were throwing one question after another at Kath, and she answered them all. I had such an inspiring day. Even though it was pretty intense, we had plenty of laughs – Kath makes it fun. I highly recommend the Abundant Vegie Patch workshop to anyone who wants to grow their own food.” The Abundant Vegie Patch Workshop

Jo

Auckland

Kath Irvine

About Me

I'm a permaculture designer and I've been designing & managing edible gardens since the late 1990's. Passionate about growing food & good garden design, I run workshops from my Edible Backyard to show you how it is done. Get a glimpse of the good life at an event, workshop or get me around for a consult at your place.

Products & Services

Testimonials

" Pruning fruit trees, like hair cutting, always looks deceptively easy. What made Kath's workshop shine for me was that she not only clearly and methodically described the processes, but helped us to think like a tree, to understand how a tree responds to the actions we take. The setting, the delicious morning tea and Kath's energetic and responsive style plus a comprehensive set of notes to take away, all made for a highly useful and enjoyable learning experience." How To Prune Fruit Trees Workshop

Joy Anderton

Otaki

"Kath is so practical and "down to earth". After some pre-visit planning she was able to focus on our long list of questions and responded with positive, helpful advice. She wasn't fazed by our largish block with many gardening challenges and together we worked out a manageable plan. Kath has a wealth of knowledge to tap into and no matter how experienced a gardener is, one can always learn better or easier ways to do things. Her regular E-newsletter is also something I always enjoy."Consult

John & Diane Baldwin

Paraparaumu

“What an eye opener – my soil! I’ve just been opening bags and tossing them on … fingers crossed they work. No more random fertilising for me. I can’t wait to get my broadfork and begin growing my soil. Thanks so much Kath!”Abundant Vegie Patch Workshop

Kelly Rogers

Carterton

“So much to learn from Kath! We’ve been gardening for years, but have learned a whole new view on growing food. And it starts in the world beneath our feet. On the drive home we were buzzing!, planning all the changes we were going to make. Starting with the layout, which we see now is very high maintenance. We’re taking up Kath’s advice to grow in containers and go temporary while we get to know our land and get clear on what we want. Then we’ll be re organising our food garden – Kath style. I highly recommend this workshop.”The Abundant Vegie Patch Workshop

Sharon + Glen

Wellington

I was more than happy with your service Kathy. The money spent was well worth it! From my first contact with you to the site visit you were both professional and friendly. What I found really great was receiving (before your visit) the steps on "Making the most of your Consult". This meant I was able to be prepared for your arrival and every minute was utilised. As we walked around the property I felt extremely confident as you shared your knowledge with passion when advising on which plants were best and their placement. You made sure we covered everything on my list and left me with a good sketch of the planting and the names of suggested plants. At the end of our session you left me feeling well enthused and excited about growing my garden. I would highly recommend you to anyone wanting help and advice in planning their edible garden. Consult

Lois Kunac

Paraparaumu

Bryan

Manawatu

“This garden is the best edible backyard I have seen – proof that permaculture principals work! A beautiful, productive, healthy garden. I highly recommend Kath’s garden tours”.Garden Tour

Bernadine Bloemgarten

Organiser edible garden tours, Transition Towns, Otaki

…we were real beginner gardeners! Kath taught us how to start from scratch, and we have transformed our grassy plot into a fertile, abundant garden in a matter of months.Kath is knowledgable and enthusiastic; her teaching style is inclusive and reassuring. After each workshop we head home with a burning enthusiasm to try something new that we saw that day…” Beginner Gardener Workshop

Annie and Jonty Thorne

Tawa

Kath is the real deal when it comes to setting up and running a home food garden. I went to this workshop to get help designing my vegie patch, but got so much more than that. I cant wait to put it all into action! We were throwing one question after another at Kath, and she answered them all. I had such an inspiring day. Even though it was pretty intense, we had plenty of laughs – Kath makes it fun. I highly recommend the Abundant Vegie Patch workshop to anyone who wants to grow their own food.” The Abundant Vegie Patch Workshop